Line drawing paint applicator

ABSTRACT

A paint applying device for edging or lining areas to be painted includes a member capable of receiving paint and discharging it on the areas. A movable line drawing blade is positioned on the member to assist in the application of the paint.

United States Patent 1 Koptelow [54] LINE DRAWING PAINT APPLICATOR [76] Inventor: Leonid Koptelow, 619 County Trunk S, Oconomowoc, Wis. 53066 [22] Filed: July 16, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 163,402

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 124,212, March 15,

1971 abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl ..15/244 CH, 15/210 R, 15/248 R [51 Int. Cl .l ..A46b 17/00, B44d 3/22 [58] Field ofSearch....l5/118, 121, 166, 210 R, 246, 15/248 R, 248 A, 437, 244 R, 244 CH; 33/39 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,270,298 l/1942 Hight ..15/210 R 2,266,962 12/1941 Drucks ..15/210 R X [451 Feb. 6, 1973 3,401,418 Deck et a1. ..15/166 1,409,229 3/1922 Moore ..15/248 R 3,137,880 6/1964 Kubit et a1. ..15/210 R X 2,214,822 9/1940 Morris ..15/210 R 3,605,165 9/1971 Burns ..15/210 R 939,522 11/1909 Lockwood... ..15/248 R 1,200,089 10/1916 Dooley ..15/248 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,033,626 6/1966 Great Britain ..15/248 R 651,438 10/1937 Germany ..15/166 Primary Examiner-Daniel Blum AttorneyAndrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall 5 7 ABSTRACT A paint applying device for edging or lining areas to be painted includes a member capable of receiving paint and discharging it on the areas. A movable line drawing blade is positioned on the member to assist in the application of the paint.

8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures LINE DRAWING PAINT APPLICATOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 124,212, filed Mar. 15, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to brushing implements suitable for edging or lining surfaces to be painted.

2. Description of the Prior Art A common problem in applying protective coatings, such as paints, it is that of finishing the areas adjacent a color terminating or separating line. For example, the walls of a room may be painted one color and the ceiling of the room painted another color so that the intersection of the walls and the ceiling forms a color separating line between the two colors. Other similar instances may occur in connection with door and window trim, base boards, window pane dividers, etc. Finishing such adjacent areas is termed in the trade edging" or lining.

The brushes or rollers used to apply paint to the large areas of the walls, ceilings, base boards, etc. are unsuited for finishing the areas adjacent color separating lines for several reasons. There is the danger of unwanted smearing of one color on another with such tools. It is difficult, particularly for an unskilled person,

to draw a straight line with a brush. While a skilled painter may be able to overcome these shortcomings, finishing the areas adjacent the color separating lines with conventional means is time consuming and tedious.

While special edging or lining tools, such as specially shaped or constructed brushes, have been developed, these have failed to fully overcome the foregoing problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide an improved paint applying means for finishing areas adjacent color separating or terminating lines.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a means which permits the finishing of such areas rapidly and without smearing by both skilled and unskilled persons.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paint applying means which is simple in construction and operation and which is capable of substantially troublefree operation for substantial periods of time.

Briefly, the present invention provides an edging tool having a paint receiving and discharging member. This member may be wedge shaped and formed of sponge rubber. One surface of the member is adapted to lie along the surface to be painted while the other surface is adapted to receive a line drawing blade. The line drawing blade is movable between an extended and a retracted position. In theextended position, the edge of the blade extends beyond the point of the wedge shaped member so as to prevent unwanted smearing or application of paint. During use, the blade assumes a retracted position in which the edge of the blade is at the point of the wedge shaped member so that the blade applies paint to the color separating line while the member applies paint to the adjacent area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the line drawing paint applicator of the present invention, said applicator being shown in a working position.

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the line drawing paint applicator of FIG. 1 with a frame cover removed to reveal additional details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the line drawing paint applicator taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a frame incorporated in the line drawing paint applicator.

FIG. 5 is the top view of a spring utilized in the line drawing paint applicator.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a line drawing blade incorporated in the applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a paint applying member of the applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the frame of the line drawing paint applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the line drawing paint applicator of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the line drawing paint applicator of FIG. 9 showing the applicator in a working position.

FIG. 11 is a view in perspective of the paint applying member of the applicator of FIG. 9. The member is inverted with respect to the position of the member in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a view in perspective of the line drawing blade of the applicator of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the line drawing paint applicator of the present invention showing a modification thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown therein line drawing paint applicator 24 of the present invention suitable for painting areas adjacent a paint separating or terminating line. Line drawing paint applicator 24 is comprised of two main elements, paint receiving and discharging member 26 and line drawing blade 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, member 26 is preferably wedge shaped in form having a first surface 14 and a second surface 13 intersecting at intersection 15. As hereinafter described, first surface 14 is abuttable with the area to be painted for applying paint thereto. For this purpose, member 26 may be formed of an absorbent, resilient material, such as sponge rubber, capable of receiving paint, as by capillary action, and discharging it when deformed, as by the application of pressure. Mechanical strength may be provided to member 26 by backing plate 16 which is also wedge shaped in form having surfaces lying parallel to surfaces 14 and 13. Backing plate 16 may include handle 18 which facilitates the grasping of line drawing paint applicator 24 and also includes flange or extension 17.

Line drawing blade 28 is positioned on, and is relatively movable with respect to, second surface 13. Line drawing blade 28 which may be formed of metal or other sheet material, includes line drawing edge 12, sides 10, and lip 11. To retain line drawing blade 28 on second surface 13, U-shaped frame 30 is mounted on extension 17. Frame 30 includes rear wall 1 which abuts extension 17 and wall 7 which lies along second 7 surface 13. A pair of opposing sidewalls 2 joined to rear wall 1 lie along the sides of member 26. The inner surfaces of side walls 2 include grooves 3 adapted to mate with side edges of line drawing blade 28 for slidably receiving the blade on the frame. To retain blade 28 in frame 30, stop rod 5, mounted in holes 4, extends between side walls 2 and is positioned in front of flange 11, as shown in FIG. 3. Flange 11 is biased against stop rod 5 by a bias means comprised of spring 8 mounted on plate 9. Plate 9 abuts the rear wall 1 of frame 30. Cover 20 is placed on frame 30 by inserting projections 21 on the inside of side walls 19 into holes 6 in side walls 2 of frame 30. Extension 17 fits between the rear wall of cover 20 and wall 1 of frame 30 to allow the entire blade-frame assembly to be removed from member 26.

Line drawing blade 28 is sized so that when flange l 1 is biased against stop rod 5 by spring 8, line drawing edge 12 extends beyond intersection 15 of first surface 14 and second surface 13, as shown in FIG. 3. When pressure is exerted on-line drawing blade 28, spring 8 is compressed and line drawing blade 28 retracted so that the line drawing edge 12 lies at intersection 15.

In operation, blade 28 is removed from member 26. Blade 28 is removed by lifting the blade, frame 30 and cover off extension 17 on member 26. Member 26 is then wetted with paint as by placing it in a pan filled with paint. Both surfaces 14 and 13 are wetted with paint. Blade 28 and member 26 are then reassembled .by placing flange 17 in the slot between frame 30 and cover 20 so that the line drawing blade 28 is positioned on second surface 13, as shown in FIG. 3. Also as shown in FIG. 3, the line drawing edge 12 of blade 28 extends beyond intersection 15. Line drawing paint applicator 24 is then grasped as shown in FIG. 1 and placed along a color separating or terminating line, as for example that existing between wall 32 and trim 34. No precaution against smearing is necessary because of the protective shielding provided by extended line drawing blade 28.

A slight pressure exerted by the user against trim 34 compresses spring 8 retracting line drawingblade 28 so thatdrawing edge 12 lies at intersection 15. This allows first surface 14 to press against wall 32 and forces the acute angle tip of member 26 against the edge of line drawing blade 28. As line drawing paint applicator 24'is moved along the line to be painted, the wet edge 12 of line drawing blade 28 performs a pen-like action in forming the color separating or terminating line. Thus, in line drawing paint applicator 24, blade 28 performs a dual function of shielding and paint application. The paint in second surface 13 provides a constant supply of paint to edge 12 of line drawing blade 28 throughout the movement of the line drawing paint applicator while the paint in first surface 14 is applied to the area of wall 32 adjacent the color separating or terminating line.

FIGS. 9 through 12 show another embodiment 24a of the line drawing paint applicator of the present invention. Line drawing paint applicator 24 is of simpler construction than the one described above in that spring 8, frame 30, and cover 20 are eliminated.

Line drawing paint applicator 24a includes member 36 which, similar to member 26, is generally wedge shaped, as shown in FIG. 9. Member 36 includes a first surface 14 for receiving and discharging paint, a second surface 13 along which line drawing blade 38 is relatively movable, and a third or rear surface 39. Back plate 40 is affixed to member 36, as shown in detail in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11 member 36 is inverted with respect to the position of the memberin FIGS. 9 and 10 to more clearly reveal back plate 40. Back plate 40 includes wall 42 lying parallel to first surface 14 and wall 44 lying parallel to second surface 13. A flange 46 extends from wall 44 so that back plate 40 forms a slot in which the fingers of the user may be inserted, as shown in FIG. 10, to assist in grasping the line drawing paint applicator 24a. Line drawing blade 38, includes a line drawing edge 49 and a pair of opposing side walls 50 and 52 (see FIG. 12) which depend from side edges 54 and 56 of line drawing blade 38. A flange 58 depends from rear edge 60 of line drawing blade 38. Trough 62 is mounted along rear edge 60 for receiving the thumb of the user when line drawing paint applicator 24a is in use, as shown in FIG. 10.

To assemble line drawing paint applicator 24A, line drawing blade 38 is placed on second surface 13, as shown in FIG. 9. The length of line drawing blade 38 from line drawing edge 49 to rear edge 60 is such that when flange S8 is in abutment with rear wall 39 of member 36, line drawing edge 49 extends beyond the intersection 15 of surfaces 13 and 14 to shield the intersection.

In use, member 36 and line drawing blade 38 are separated and member 36 charged with paint on surfaces 14 and 13. Line drawing blade 38 is then placed on second surface 13 so that flange 58 of the blade is in abutment with rear wall 39 of member 36 and line drawing edge 49 shields intersection 15. Line drawing paint applicator 24a is then grasped, with the fingers of the user bent, and placed along a color separating or terminating line, as for example, that existing between wall 32 and trim 34 in FIG. 10. No precaution against smearing .is necessary because of the protective shielding provided by line drawing blade 38.

By extending his fingers, the user moves member 36 along line drawing blade 38 so that intersection l5 lies along line drawing edge 49 of blade 38. The painting action of line drawing paint applicator 240 thus becomes similar to that of line drawing paint applicator 24a described, above.

If desired, a means may be provided to assist in positioning line drawing paint applicator '24 along trim 34. This means may typically comprise one or more rotatable wheels 64 mounted near line drawing edge 12 of line drawing blade 28 as shown in FIG. 13. Wheels 64 may be formed as a frustum, the angle of the part conical surface being correlated to the angle of intersection of first surface 14 and second surface 13. In use, wheels 64 are placed in abutment with trim 34 and rotate as line drawing paint applicator 24 is moved along the surface to be painted.

It is understood that variations and modifications to the preferred arrangements described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended to cover in the appended claims all such variations and modifications as falls within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A device for applying paint to a delimited area adjacent a paint terminating line comprising:

a frame means suitable for grasping by the user for forcing the device against the area;

a member of generally prismatic form having a first surface abuttable with the delimited area, a second surface lying at an acute angle to said first surface and intersecting the latter, and a third surface joined to said frame means, said member being formed of a cellular, resilient material for receiving and discharging paint along said first and second surfaces by dimension changing deformation relative to said frame means; and line drawing blade removably mounted on said second surface and slidable therealong for movement relative to said frame means, said frame means being so positioned on said third surface as to direct the force applied by the user in a manner to wedge the prismatic member between the blade and the area to be painted responsive to relative movement of the blade and member with respect to said frame to obtain a paint exuding deformation of the first and second surfaces,

said blade being initially slidable along said second surface from an extended position in which said blade extends beyond the intersection of the first and second surfaces to a retracted position in which the blade lies at the intersection of said first and second surfaces, said blade being thereafter movable together with said member and relative to said frame means for remaining in the retracted position during deformation of said member, said line drawing blade receiving paint exuded from said second surface when in said retracted position and applying it to the paint terminating line by a pen like action.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said second portion of said frame means includes means for urging said blade into the extended position.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said blade urging means comprises a spring.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said second surface is of a predetermined dimension in the direction of movement of said blade and said blade is of a greater dimension.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said blade includes a retaining means for retaining said blade on said member in the extended position.

6. The device according to claim 1 including means for positioning said device along the area to be painted.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said frame means is further defined as having a first portion joined to the third surface of said member for receiving the fingers of the user and a second portion coupled to said blade engageable by the thumb of the user.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein said second portion of said frame means is adapted to receive said line drawing blade for movement between said extended and retracted positions. 

1. A device for applying paint to a delimited area adjacent a paint terminating line comprising: a frame means suitable for grasping by the user for forcing the device against the area; a member of generally prismatic form having a first surface abuttable with the delimited area, a second surface lying at an acute angle to said first surface and intersecting the latter, and a third surface joined to said frame means, said member being formed of a cellular, resilient material for receiving and discharging paint along said first and second surfaces by dimension changing deformation relative to said frame means; and a line drawing blade removably mounted on said second surface and slidable therealong for movement relative to said frame means, said frame means being so positioned on said third surface as to direct the force applied by the user in a manner to wedge the prismatic member between the blade and the area to be painted responsive to relative movement of the blade and member with respect to said frame to obtain a paint exuding deformation of the first and second surfaces, said blade being initially slidable along said second surface from an extended position in which said blade extends beyond the intersection of the first and second surfaces to a retracted position in which the blade lies at the intersection of said first and second surfaces, said blade being thereafter movable together with said member and relative to said frame means for remaining in the retracted position during deformation of said member, said line drawing blade receiving paint exuded from said second surface when in said retracted position and applying it to the paint terminating line by a pen like action.
 1. A device for applying paint to a delimited area adjacent a paint terminating line comprising: a frame means suitable for grasping by the user for forcing the device against the area; a member of generally prismatic form having a first surface abuttable with the delimited area, a second surface lying at an acute angle to said first surface and intersecting the latter, and a third surface joined to said frame means, said member being formed of a cellular, resilient material for receiving and discharging paint along said first and second surfaces by dimension changing deformation relative to said frame means; and a line drawing blade removably mounted on said second surface and slidable therealong for movement relative to said frame means, said frame means being so positioned on said third surface as to direct the force applied by the user in a manner to wedge the prismatic member between the blade and the area to be painted responsive to relative movement of the blade and member with respect to said frame to obtain a paint exuding deformation of the first and second surfaces, said blade being initially slidable along said second surface from an extended position in which said blade extends beyond the intersection of the first and second surfaces to a retracted position in which the blade lies at the intersection of said first and second surfaces, said blade being thereafter movable together with said member and relative to said frame means for remaining in the retracted position during deformation of said member, said line drawing blade receiving paint exuded from said second surface when in said retracted position and applying it to the paint terminating line by a pen like action.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said second portion of said frame means includes means for urging said blade into the extended poSition.
 3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said blade urging means comprises a spring.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said second surface is of a predetermined dimension in the direction of movement of said blade and said blade is of a greater dimension.
 5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said blade includes a retaining means for retaining said blade on said member in the extended position.
 6. The device according to claim 1 including means for positioning said device along the area to be painted.
 7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said frame means is further defined as having a first portion joined to the third surface of said member for receiving the fingers of the user and a second portion coupled to said blade engageable by the thumb of the user. 